Sub : Violation of Election code of Conduct by issuing notification on alcohol, extending timing of alcohol bars up to 4am in selected areas.

Sir,

Bailancho Saad is a women’s collective working on women’s issues in Goa for the last 28years.

We wish to bring to your notice that the Government of Goa has violated the Election code of conduct which is in force, by issuing a notification in Official Gazette dated 28th March 2014 ,series1 No 52 (page no 1900,1901) wherein certain alcohol bars are allowed to extend bar timings beyond 11pm up to 4am on payment of additional fees. Certain areas like coastal areas and municipal areas have been given this privilege through this notification.

Many bar licenses have also been issued since the notification became operational from 1st April 2014 which has been reported in the press.

Use of alcohol to entice voters is a violation of election code of conduct. No prior permission was taken to issue the notification.

We would like to bring to your notice that pronouncements were made in the Assembly session after the election dates were announced.

Many women’s groups, social organizations, youth, citizens, panchayat members are aggrieved by this decision and have launched a campaign ‘Roll Back Bar Timings”. A public meeting is scheduled on 12th May 2014 in Ambedkar Park, Panjim Goa.We want the notification revoked and the licenses given to bars under the said notification cancelled.